| The Georgian international, who has not played since the win over Partick in the middle of last month, has made two visits to a specialist in this country in the last week or so and been told the injury does not require surgery.
He, though, wants a second opinion, and will this week head to Switzerland to consult the orthopaedic surgeon who operated on him two years ago when he was hit by a serious cartilage problem.
“Georgi is still feeling something, so he is going to go over to Switzerland to see his own specialist and we will take things from there,” confirmed boss Jim Duffy today.
Whether or not his trip leads to more surgery, it looks like the mercurial playmaker is going to remain on the injured list for at least the next month.
Joining him on it at the weekend was Scotland defender Lee Wilkie who broke his nose in the Dens Park draw against Hibs. It marked the end of a tough week for Wilkie, who also suffered a head gash in the derby at Dundee United, but, at the moment, it looks like he will be fit for Saturday’s home meeting against Motherwell.
“Lee has stitches in his head from the United game and paper stitches across his nose from Saturday, but it is not something that is going to need surgery — all it will do it effect his good looks,” smiled Jim. “We will have to be careful with him in training this week, but we do expect him to be OK to play against Motherwell.”
Missing from training today was Fabian Caballero, who has a virus, though he, too, is expected to be fit for the weekend. Ruled out through suspension after his red card against Hibs will be Craig Burley.
And none of the players who have been missing through injury are likely to be ready in time to face Motherwell. Still out are Brent Sancho, Gavin Rae, Tom Cowan, Steve Lovell, Tom Hutchinson, Steven Milne and Jonay Hernandez.
Of that list, Sancho could be in full training by the end of the week, while Rae and Lovell are making progress.
“Brent could be back with us by Thursday, but he has been out for a good while now and will need a week to 10 days solid work before he is ready to play again. Before the end of the week we will also have a look at Gavin, but there is no way he will be ready for Saturday,” added Jim.
That makes Rae doubtful for Scotland’s Euro 2004 play-off against Holland.
It will be a young team that travels to face Hibs in the U/21 league tonight.
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